Inside the original concept of the Religion Yoruba , The so called Tools of the Orisha that accompany the Otans where never present. For this one must think that in Cuba they where incorporated in the rituals of the religion for the conditions the salves where living in Cuba.

What is true in the end of century XIX and the beginning of the century XX, Santeria suffered a important restructure and organization, the years in where the name Regla de Ocha was founded. This incorporated the Tools and formed the Definition of tools of Ocha as a basic to all houses.

Below I mention the tools and a bit about their use and meani
ngs. Now , I dont claim to know everything.. SO ask your ILE and Rama if these apply to your house before you go changing or doubting what you have been given or recieved BY your madrina or Padrino.

Ogun : Is the God of metals; the protector of Labor work on the earth. His is represented by a caldron of Iron, inside the caldron in a Yunque (awl) on the yunque metals can be transformed and in his hands metals can be converted into Utensils to help mankind. He also has a Rake, a hoe and a machete and other tools representing the work of man on the earth. These tools represent the constant activity of being human, Looking for the constant better conditions of Life for himself. When this orisha is re-enforced one puts more instruments inside the cauldron Like a Iron chain, Train tracks, nails of the line of train, horse shoes, knives, cannonballs, and including instruments of a surgical doctor, and scissors. and lastly a arrow that is the representation of Ochosi.

Ochosi : Is
the hunter of this Religion. When one receive’s him , his tools are two antlers of a Deer , representing the future of who receive’s him . Three lances, Three arrows , three machetes, three bow and arrows , Armour, and two dogs that represent his group of hunters. And a Trident that points upward , that represents the force and power of being human on the earth and the justice that Ochosi to shoot his arrows. Of course this santo also has Otans and a hand of caracoles .

Shango : God of the Lighting Bolt and of Battle. Of course he can not be without his tools. These are decorated from cedar wood, his favorite tree. These are 6 tools .. A axe, a double axe, a Lance, a dagger, a machete , and a arrow. These tools symbol his condition of warrior and invincible. With these tools Shango could battle anyone under any circumstances.

Agallu : Originally this orisha had no tools, Because he represents the force that is invincible against all the elements of the earth. O
nly had to have his Otans, That at one time was only taken from a Lava stone. Later three tools where given to him a baston , a arrow and a Lance. With the baston he could carry the weight of those that needed him that he would carry them through the hardest times and could count on him. The other two tools where to show his power over the earth. There are houses where Agallu is born with 7 tools that symbolize more or less the same.

Ochun: Goddess of the river and of laughter and honey. Only has her crown and oars as her tools. The crown symbolizes she is a Queen , from her crown there are five Lances to remind one that not only she is the sweetest but also a warrior and will not hesitate to fight for her children. Her Oars represent the balance of Good and Evil, and the balance in the path we should take in life.

Yemaya : Goddess of the ocean mother of the Orisa’s . Her tools should be made of Lead since salt water will not destroy them over time. The moon , symbol
of the character of mother of the orisha . A half moon , representing happiness that she brings in her character, The presence of the two moons reminds us of the balance and how it influences the ocean. A sun , to remind us the flame of a fire of which eater can put out. But without the sun there is no life on the earth. Also a life jacket of a boat, that she will save us before we drowned. A pair of Oars to remind us again of Good and Evil and maintain balance, A mermaid , that has no real significance but to remind of us her beauty. A Anchor to remind us to have stability in life.And, Seven bracelets that is her mark or Vibrating number (7) Odi where our religion was born. Besides being a Queen Yemaya does not have a crown unless specifically ask for in Ita with (4-4) Iroso melli or (4-8) Iroso Umbo . This Odu asks for a crown. The reason is to remind one with Odu that their head is to carry a crown keep it high and never pass needing things in their life. Yemaya Okunte, that made
a pact with Ogun to only use his tools on her crown.

Oshún is the seductive Orisha of Love, Beauty, Lust, and Fertility.Oshún rules the genitals and the lower abdomen. She is particularly associated with feminine beauty, as well as relationships between people in general. Oshún is also associated with rivers, waterfalls, and other sources of fresh water.

In one tale, story, (Pataki), The Orishas decided that they no longer needed Olodumare. Olodumare, in response, created a great drought that none of the Orishas could reverse. To save the parched world, Oshún transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare’s realm to beg his forgiveness. Olodumare relented and returned the water to the world, and the peacock transformed into a vulture.

Oshún is syncretized in the Cath
olic Religion with Our Lady of Charity, an aspect of the Virgin Mary focused on hope and survival, particularly in relation to the sea. Our Lady of Charity is also the patron saint of Cuba, (La Caridad del Cobre) where Santeria/Religion Lukumi originates.

By @botanica_ile_iwa_oruna “Today within the Lukumi tradition we celebrate Chango’s feast day! Chango is a warrior Òrìshá, fourth Alafin (king) of Oyo and is considered the king of both Lukumi and Traditional Yoruba faiths. Chango represents strength, passion, wealth, thunder, lightning and fire. Chango is depicted as a tall handsome man, a ladies’ man, a great dancer and great romantic. Chango ki’ agbe o!! #chango #shango #sango #lukumi #santeria #botanicaileiwaoruna #orisha #oricha #yoruba” via @PhotoRepost_app

Today is December 4th, the feast of Saint Barbara whom is syncretized with the orisha Changó. Changó (also spelled Shangó, Ṣango, or Xango) is the owner of fire, lightening, thunder, and war, but he is also the patron of music, drumming, and dancing. He represents male beauty and virility, passion and power. His colors are red and white, and his eleke (sacred necklace) is made of alternating red and white beads. His number is 6, and his day of the week is Friday and the 4th day of every month. He’s syncretized with Santa Barbara because she’s portrayed in Catholic lore as a fiercely independent and brave young woman, dressed usually in a red and white costume, holding a sword and wearing a crown like Changó. In a way, it’s surpr
ising that such a powerful masculine Orisha is syncretized with a female saint, but there are underlying similarities between their stories. For example, Santa Barbara’s torturer was struck down by a lightening bolt, which is Changó’s favorite weapon. And according to a patakí (sacred story) about Changó, one time he had to dress in women’s clothes (lent to him by Oyá) in order to escape undetected from his enemies. Santa Bárbara’s association with Changó shows that females and males alike can wield Changó’s power. Both male and female initiates can be crowned with Changó, making him their father in the religion.

Changó likes bananas, okra, red palm oil, and amalá (corn meal dumplings). He usually wears red satin pants and a red shirt with white trim; on his head he wears a crown. He lives in a wooden batea (shallow bowl with lid), sometimes placed o
n a wooden pilón (pedestal). He protects against burns and death by fire.Changó’s symbol is the double headed ax, which represents swift justice. His followers call him by shaking a maraca as they pray to him at his altar. Those who have Changó on their head salute him by lying face down on the floor with arms extended to their sides.

Yemayá (also spelled Yemoja, Iemoja, or Yemaya) is one of the most powerful orishas in Santeria. She is the mother of all living things, rules over motherhood and owns all the waters of the Earth. She gave birth to the stars, the moon, the sun and most of the orishas. Yemaya makes her residence in life-giving portion of the ocean (although some of her roads can be found in lagoons or lakes in the forest). Yemaya’s aché is nurturing, protective and fruitful. Yemaya is just as much a loving mother orisha as she is a fierce warrior that kills anyone who threatens her children.

Yemaya can be found in all the waters of the world, and because of this she has many aspects of “caminos” (roads), each reflecting the nature of different bodies of water
. She, like Oshún, carries all of the experiences of womanhood within her caminos. Contrary to popular belief she is not just a loving mother. Some of Yemaya’s caminos are fierce warriors who fight with sabers or machetes and bathe in the blood of fallen enemies. Other roads are masterful diviners that have been through marriage, divorce and back again. Some roads of Yemaya have been rape survivors, while other roads betrayed her sisters out of jealousy and spite. No matter what camino of Yemaya, all are powerful female orishas and fiercely protective mothers.
Yemaya has a very special relationship with two orishas in particular: Oshún and Chango. Oshún is often depicted as Yemaya’s sister, and Yemaya allows Oshún to take residence in her rivers. Yemaya and Oshun relate to one another like typical sisters; they love each other and also have a bit of sibling rivalry. Chango and Yemaya are inseparable. Some followers of Santeria say Yemaya is Chango’s mother. The two of them eat together and Chango shares his wealth with Yemaya. Yemaya helped mold Chango into the wise leader he was meant to be from birth (although he initially lacked the skill to rule with grace).
Different roads of Yemaya have had relationships with many of the male orishas including: Orunmila, Ogun, Inle, Orisha Oko, Obatala and Aggayu. She is one of the four pillars of the Santeria religion along with Obatala, Oshun and Chango. Therefore every initiated olorisha will receive her pot with her mysteries at his kariocha initiation.

Ashe is the life-force that runs through all things, living and inanimate. Ashe is the power to make things happen. It is an affirmation which is used in greetings and prayers, as well as a concept of spiritual growth

Ogún
Ogún the powerful one,
Sufficiently great to stand before death.
One who makes human beings prosperous.
One who is not enriched by Ogún will.
Find it difficult to get sacrificial kola-nuts.
Ogún enrich me.
Ogún the powerful one,
The strong one of the earth,
The great one of the other world,
The protector of those who are being injured.
Ogún support me.

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